Imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

An imaging apparatus includes a prism for separating a first luminous flux into a plurality of second luminous fluxes, a plurality of imaging sensors disposed corresponding to the second luminous fluxes, an image generator for generating image data based on output image signals, and focus controller for executing a focusing operation based on focus detection image signals. The imaging sensors each have a plurality of imaging pixels and a plurality of phase difference pixels disposed in a specific pattern. An arrangement of a first imaging sensor, which is one of the plurality of imaging sensors, is different from an arrangement of a second imaging sensor, which is another one of the plurality of imaging sensors. The specific pattern is such that a position of a phase difference pixel of the first imaging sensor does not overlap with a position of a phase difference pixel of the second imaging sensor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a multi-CCD imaging apparatus having aplurality of imaging devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-84177 (1995) discloses a3CCD imaging apparatus for capturing a subject image through threeimaging devices. The imaging apparatus is a lens interchangeable typeimaging apparatus, and its object is to reduce generation of aberrationat a time when an interchangeable lens is exchanged.

Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-177903 discloses atwo-CCD imaging apparatus. This imaging apparatus has a plurality ofimaging devices with an imaging pixel and a focus detecting pixel (phasedifference pixel).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides an imaging apparatus that includes animaging device having a focus detecting pixel, and can be manufacturedmore efficiently.

An imaging apparatus of the present disclosure includes a spectroscopicpart for separating a first luminous flux from a subject condensed by anoptical system into a plurality of second luminous fluxes, a pluralityof imaging sensors disposed corresponding to the plurality of secondluminous fluxes, a generator for generating image data based on each ofimage signals generated by the plurality of imaging sensors, and a focuscontroller for executing a focusing operation of the optical systembased on focus information generated by the plurality of imagingsensors. Each of the plurality of imaging sensors has a plurality ofimaging pixels disposed on an imaging surface, for capturing a subjectimage from the second luminous fluxes to generate image signals, and aplurality of focus detecting pixels disposed on the imaging surface in aspecific pattern, for generating focus information about a focus stateof the optical system with respect to the subject. An arrangement of afirst imaging sensor, which is one of the plurality of imaging sensors,with respect to a subject image is different from an arrangement of asecond imaging sensor, which is another one of the plurality of imagingsensors, with respect to the subject image. In the specific pattern, aposition of the focus detecting pixel of the first imaging sensor withrespect to the subject image does not overlap with a position of thefocus detecting pixel of the second imaging sensor with respect to thesubject image.

According to the present disclosure, a multi-CCD imaging apparatushaving imaging devices with focus detecting pixels can be manufacturedmore efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digitalcamera according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a pixel arrangement pattern of animaging sensor according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a direction of the arrangement of theimaging sensor according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the direction of the arrangement of theimaging sensor according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a moving image recording processaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing an AF process according to thefirst embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an image matching process accordingto the first embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment is described in detail below suitably with reference tothe drawings. However, description in more detail than necessary isoccasionally omitted. For example, detailed description aboutalready-known matters and overlapped description about configurationsthat are substantially the same as each other are occasionally omitted.This is for avoiding the following description from being unnecessarilyredundant and making understanding of the person skilled in the arteasy.

The present inventor(s) provide the accompanying drawings and thefollowing description in order for the person skilled in the art tofully understand the present disclosure, and the subject matter recitedin the claims is not intended to be restricted thereby.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[1. Configuration of Digital Camera]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of digital camera900. Digital camera 900 includes lens system 100, actuator 200, prism300, imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402, imaging sensor B403,controller 500, monitor 600, memory card interface (I/F) 700, and powersupply interface (I/F) 800.

Lens system 100 forms a luminous flux from a subject into an image as asubject image on imaging surfaces of the respective imaging sensors viaprism 300. Lens system 100 includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, and afixed lens, for example. The luminous flux condensed by lens system 100is incident on prism 300. Lens system 100 is one example of an opticalsystem. The luminous flux from the subject is one example of a firstluminous flux.

Prism 300 separates the incident luminous flux into a plurality ofluminous fluxes according to a wavelength of the luminous flux. Prism300 is a dichroic prism, and separates the incident luminous flux intoluminous fluxes of red light, green light, and blue light so as to emitthe separated fluxes. Prism 300 is one example of a spectroscopic part.The luminous fluxes of red light, green light, and blue light are oneexample of second luminous fluxes.

Imaging sensor R401 is disposed on an optical axis of the red light onan emission side of prism 300. Imaging sensor G402 is disposed on anoptical axis of the green light on the emission side of prism 300.Imaging sensor B403 is disposed on an optical axis of the blue light onthe emission side of prism 300. The three imaging sensors are disposedon positions where optical distances from a subject are equivalent toeach other at a latter stage of prism 300. Imaging sensor G402 is oneexample of a first imaging sensor. Imaging sensor R401 and imagingsensor B403 are one example of second imaging sensors.

The red light separated by prism 300 is incident on imaging sensor R401.Imaging sensor R401 converts the received red light into an output imagesignal and a focus detection image signal. The output image signal is animage signal mainly for recording and display. The focus detection imagesignal is an image signal including information about a focusing stateof lens system 100. The focus detection image signal is an image signalmainly for focus control. The focus detection image signal is oneexample of focus information. Imaging sensor R401 outputs the respectiveconverted image signals to controller 500.

The green light separated by prism 300 is incident on imaging sensorG402. Imaging sensor G402 converts the received green light into anoutput image signal and a focus detection image signal. Imaging sensorG402 outputs the respective converted image signals to controller 500.

The blue light separated by prism 300 is incident on imaging sensorB403. Imaging sensor B403 converts the received blue light into anoutput image signal and a focus detection image signal. Imaging sensorB403 outputs the respective converted image signals to controller 500.

Imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402, and imaging sensor B403 havethe same physical configuration, but they are disposed differently withrespect to prism 300. Details of the configurations of the imagingsensors and the arrangement of the imaging sensors with respect to prism300 are described later.

Controller 500 controls digital camera 900 entirely. Controller 500 maybe configured as a microcomputer that can execute programs, orconfigured by a logic circuit, or may have both the functions. Further,controller 500 has image generator 501 and focus controller 502. Imagegenerator 501 and focus controller 502 can be configured by, forexample, a manner that controller 500 executes corresponding programs.

Image generator 501 generates moving image data based on the outputimage signals acquired from imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402,and imaging sensor B403. Controller 500 can display the moving imagedata on monitor 600. Further, controller 500 can record and read movingimage data in/from memory card 701 connected to memory card I/F 700.

Focus controller 502 performs a focusing operation of lens system 100based on a focus detection image signal. Focus controller 502 calculatesa command value necessary for the focusing operation using the focusdetection image signals acquired from imaging sensor R401, imagingsensor G402, and imaging sensor B403. Focus controller 502 outputs thecalculated command value to actuator 200.

Actuator 200 drives the focus lens of lens system 100 based on thecommand value acquired from focus controller 502. In such a manner, indigital camera 900, focus controller 502 can execute an auto focus (AF)process.

Power supply I/F 800 supplies power from connected battery 801 tocontroller 500. Controller 500 supplies the power to the respectiveparts. Entire digital camera 900 is operated by the power supplied frombattery 801.

[2. Configuration of the Imaging Sensor]

Imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402, and imaging sensor B403 arethe imaging sensors having the same physical configuration as describedabove. These imaging sensors are, therefore, collectively called imagingsensor 400. The configuration of imaging sensor 400 is described below.

[2.1 Arrangement of Pixels of the Imaging Sensor]

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a pixel arrangementpattern of imaging sensor 400. A plurality of light reception sensorsare disposed on the imaging surface of imaging sensor 400two-dimensionally. More specifically, the light reception sensors oftotally vertical M pixels x horizontal N pixels are disposed on theimaging surface of imaging sensor 400. The light reception sensorsinclude imaging pixel 400 a, phase difference pixel 400 b whose righthalf portion is shielded, and phase difference pixel 400 c whose lefthalf portion is shielded. Imaging pixel 400 a is a main pixel of thelight reception sensors. Imaging pixel 400 a can capture a subject imageand can generate an output image signal. Phase difference pixels 400 band phase difference pixels 400 c are disposed in the same number in aspecific pattern with them dispersing in an array of imaging pixels 400a. A set of one phase difference pixel 400 b and one phase differencepixel 400 c are disposed on the imaging surface so as to be close toeach other. Phase difference pixels 400 b and phase difference pixels400 c can each capture a subject image, and output a focus detectionimage signal. For later description, a position of one pixel at theupper left end of imaging sensor 400 in the drawings is set as referenceposition 400 r. Further, in a short side direction of imaging sensor400, a direction approaching reference position 400 r is determined as adirection A, and a direction away from reference position 400 r isdetermined as a direction B. This is for further clarifying thedirection of the arrangement of imaging sensor 400.

[2.2 Relative Arrangement of the Imaging Sensors]

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams illustrating the directions of thearrangements of the respective imaging sensors in digital camera 900.FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of the relativearrangements of the respective imaging sensors with respect to a subjectimage. When digital camera 900 captures subject 1000, subject imagescaptured by imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402 and imaging sensorB403 are determined as subject image 1001, subject image 1002 andsubject image 1003, respectively.

A luminous flux from subject 1000 is separated into three luminousfluxes by prism 300. Subject image 1001, subject image 1002, subjectimage 1003 from the respective separated luminous fluxes are formed onthe corresponding imaging sensors so that their up-down directions areas shown in the drawings. Imaging sensor R401 is disposed so that the updirection of the subject image matches with the direction A. Similarlyimaging sensor B403 is disposed so that the up direction of the subjectimage matches with the direction A.

On the other hand, imaging sensor G402 is disposed so that the updirection of subject image 1002 matches with the direction B. That is tosay, the relative arrangement of imaging sensor G402 with respect tosubject image 1002 is different from the relative arrangement of imagingsensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403) with respect to subject image 1001(or subject image 1003). More specifically, the relative arrangement ofimaging sensor G402 with respect to subject image 1002 rotates by 180°about an optical axis with respect to the relative arrangement ofimaging sensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403) with respect to subjectimage 1001 (or subject image 1003).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relative arrangements of therespective imaging sensors with respect to the subject images forfurther clarifying the relationship of the pixel arrangement. In thedrawing, the respective imaging sensors are disposed so that their updirections match with the up direction of the subject images. Imagingpixel 400 a corresponds to imaging pixel 401 a, imaging pixel 402 a andimaging pixel 403 a in the respective imaging sensors. The referenceposition 400 r corresponds to a reference position 401 r, a referenceposition 402 r and a reference position 403 r of the respective imagingsensors.

Further, phase difference pixel 400 b corresponds to phase differencepixel 401 b, phase difference pixel 402 c and phase difference pixel 403b. Phase difference pixel 400 c corresponds to phase difference pixel401 c, phase difference pixel 402 b and phase difference pixel 403 c ofthe respective imaging sensors. The correspondences are described below.

Phase difference pixel 400 b (the right half portion is shielded) in acase of description of imaging sensor 400 is shielded on a left halfportion viewed from a subject side in imaging sensor G402 disposed with180° rotation. Therefore, phase difference pixel 400 b corresponds tophase difference pixel 402 c (the left half portion is shielded) inimaging sensor G402. Similarly, phase difference pixel 400 c correspondsto phase difference pixel 402 b (the right half portion is shielded) inimaging sensor G402.

Further, in digital camera 900 according to this embodiment, imagingsensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403) and imaging sensor G402 aredisposed in an arrangement pattern where the phase difference pixels donot overlapped with each other. This arrangement pattern is describedbelow.

As described above, imaging sensor G402 is disposed so as to rotate by180° with respect to the other two imaging sensors. For this reason, inimaging sensor G402, the arrangements of the reference position, theimaging pixel and the phase difference pixel rotate by 180° with respectto the other imaging sensors. The arrangement position of the phasedifference pixel of imaging sensor G402 does not overlap with thearrangement position of the phase difference pixel of imaging sensorR401 (or imaging sensor B403). That is to say, the phase differencepixel of imaging sensor 400 is disposed in an arrangement pattern suchthat the position of the phase difference pixel with respect to thesubject image does not overlap with the position of the phase differencepixel of imaging sensor 400 rotating by 180°.

For this reason, a position of a defective pixel is different betweenimaging sensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403) and imaging sensor G402.Therefore, when image generator 501 generates moving image data, imagegenerator 501 can generate a moving image with a higher image quality.

More specific description is given. The phase difference pixel can berealized by, for example, shielding the half of one pixel. Therefore,controller 500 recognizes a phase difference pixel as a defective pixel,and generates an image signal on that position through interpolationusing an image signal from another imaging pixel. The phase differencepixels of imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402 and imaging sensorB403 are disposed on the same position, the positions of defectivepixels to be interpolated are the same as each other. Therefore, aspecific place in the output image signal is interpolated. In this case,the interpolation of defective pixels concentrates on one position, anddeterioration of image quality is noticeable. On the contrary, in thisembodiment, the position of the phase difference pixel is differentbetween imaging sensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403) and imaging sensorG402. For this reason, the interpolation of defective pixels on the sameposition can be prevented. Therefore, the deterioration of the imagequality can be prevented.

Further, since the phase difference pixels are disposed on all imagingsensor R401, imaging sensor G402 and imaging sensor B403, the focusingoperation with higher accuracy can be realized. Contents of the focusingoperation are described later.

[3. Moving Image Recording Process]

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a moving image recording process. When aphotographer presses a release button (not shown) of digital camera 900,image generator 501 starts a process for recording a moving image. Imagegenerator 501 reads the output image signals from imaging sensor R401,imaging sensor G402 and imaging sensor B403 (T1). In the firstembodiment, imaging sensor G402 is disposed so as to rotate by 180° withrespect to imaging sensor R401 and imaging sensor B403. Therefore, imagegenerator 501 controls reading from imaging sensor G402 differently fromimaging sensor R401 and imaging sensor B403. That is to say, imagegenerator 501 instructs imaging sensor R401 and imaging sensor B403 tostart reading a pixel on 1 line 1 row from reference position 401 r andreference position 403 r, namely, in raster order. On the other hand,image generator 501 instructs imaging sensor G402 to start reading apixel on M line N row corresponding to a position diagonal to referenceposition 402 r in reverse raster order. Such reading makes thedirections of the output image signals read from the respective imagingsensors uniform. More specifically, the directions of a subject includedin images represented by the output image signals are made to beuniform. For this reason, a process for rotating images so that thedirections of the images are uniform does not have to be executed later,and thus the process efficiency is improved.

Image generator 501 executes a process for interpolating defectivepixels of the output image signals acquired from the respective imagingsensors (T2). The place in the imaging sensor where phase differencepixel is disposed corresponds to a defective pixel. In step T2, imagegenerator 501 generates an output image signal on the positioncorresponding to the defective pixel in imaging sensor R401 throughinterpolation. Similarly, image generator 501 generates a defectivepixel on imaging sensor G402 through interpolation. Further, imagegenerator 501 generates a defective pixel in imaging sensor B403 throughinterpolation. An example of the process for interpolating a defectivepixel is calculation of an average value of values of 8 pixels adjacentto a position corresponding to the defective pixel in an output imagesignal. Image generator 501 records the output image signal where thedefective pixel is interpolated as moving image data in memory card 701to be connected to memory card I/F 700 (T3).

[4. AF Process]

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the focusing operation (AF process) in focuscontroller 502.

Focus controller 502 executes the AF process at a predetermined timingwhile a moving image is being photographed. For example, focuscontroller 502 executes the AF process at every constant time.

In the AF process, focus controller 502 reads the output image signalsand focus detection image signals on lines having a phase differencepixel from imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402 and imaging sensorB403 so as to acquire line signals (S1).

Focus controller 502 calculates a defocus amount using the focusdetection image signal corresponding to the green light read fromimaging sensor G402 (S2). The calculation of the defocus amount isdescribed. The focus detection image signals acquired from all phasedifference pixels 402 b included in imaging sensor G402 are rightshielding image signals. Further, the focus detection image signalsacquired from all phase difference pixels 402 c included in imagingsensor G402 are left shielding image signals. Focus controller 502detects a shift amount between images of the right shielding imagesignal and the left shielding image signal. The shift amount is thedefocus amount.

The shift amount can be calculated by an image matching process for theright shielding image signal and the left shielding image signal. FIG. 7is a diagram for describing the image matching process. In the imagematching process, one of the two image signals is a reference image, andthe other one is a template image. While the position of the templateimage is being moved with respect to the reference image, a degree ofsimilarity of a corresponding region is calculated, and a position wherethe degree of similarity is the highest is obtained. In this embodiment,while the left shielding image signal as the reference image and theright shielding image signal as the template image are being moved, thedegree of similarity is calculated. As the degree of similarity, SAD(Sum of Absolute Difference) can be used. SAD is a value obtained bysumming absolute values of the differences between pixel values on thecorresponding positions, and is defined by the following equation:

SAD=Σ _(i=0) ^(X−1)Σ_(j=0) ^(Y−1) |I(i,j)−T(i,j)|  [Equation 1]

where a pixel value of the reference image is I (x, y), a pixel value ofthe template image is T (x, y), and a size of a target region where thedegree of similarity is calculated is horizontal X pixel x vertical Ypixel.

Focus controller 502 calculates the degree of similarity, for example,for a case where a right shielding image signal is shifted to the leftdirection by 10 pixels with respect to a left shielding image signal (ashift amount of the pixels is “−10”). Focus controller 502 then shiftsthe right shielding image signal to a right direction by one pixel, soas to calculate the degree of similarity. Focus controller 502 repeatsthe calculation of the degree of similarity until a place where theright shielding image signal shifts to the right direction by 10 pixelswith respect to the left shielding image signal (the shift amount of thepixel is “+10”).

Focus controller 502 obtains the shift amount of the pixel using theobtained degree of similarity. Concretely, focus controller 502 obtainsthe shift amount of the image at a time when the degree of similarity isminimum. The shift amount of the image obtained in such a manner is thedefocus amount. For example, when the obtained degree of similarity hasa result in FIG. 7, focus controller 502 determines that the shiftamount is 7 pixels in the left direction, namely, “−7” pixels.Therefore, the defocus amount is “−7”.

Focus controller 502 determines reliability of the defocus amountobtained in step S2 (S3). Focus controller 502 determines thereliability using the degree of similarity obtained at the time when theshift amount of the pixels is calculated. Concretely, focus controller502 obtains an average value of the degree of similarity obtained byshifting the right shielding image signal by “−10” to “+10” with respectto the left shielding image signal. Focus controller 502 determineswhether a difference between an average value and a minimum value of thedegree of similarity is a predetermined value or more. When thedifference is the predetermined value or more, focus controller 502determines that the reliability is present, but when not thepredetermined value or more, no reliability is present.

When determining that the reliability is present in step S3, focuscontroller 502 executes a process for moving the focus lens of lenssystem 100 based on the defocus amount obtained in step S2 (S4).Concretely, focus controller 502 calculates the position of the focuslens where focus is achieved based on the current position of the focuslens and the defocus amount. Focus controller 502 controls actuator 200so as to move the focus lens to the position of the focus lens.

On the other hand, when determining in step S3 that no reliability ispresent, focus controller 502 calculates the defocus amount using thefocus detection image signals of imaging sensor R401 and imaging sensorB403. As the calculating method, the method similar to that in step S2is used. That is to say, focus controller 502 calculates the defocusamount using the phase difference pixel 401 b and the phase differencepixel 401 c of imaging sensor R401. Further, focus controller 502calculates the defocus amount using the phase difference pixel 403 b andthe phase difference pixel 403 c of imaging sensor B403.

Focus controller 502 determines the reliability of the defocus amount ofimaging sensor R401 and imaging sensor B403 obtained in step S5 (S6).The reliability determining method is similar to step S3. When thereliability is present in at least one defocus amount, focus controller502 goes to step S4. On the other hand, when determining that noreliability is present in both the defocus amounts, focus controller 502goes to step S1.

When determining in step S6 that the reliability is present, focuscontroller 502 selects the defocus amount with higher reliability fromthe defocus amounts obtained from imaging sensor R401 and imaging sensorB403 so as to execute the AF process in step S4. Concretely, focuscontroller 502 selects the defocus amount where the difference betweenthe average value and the minimum value of the degree of similarity islarger.

[5. Effect etc.]

As described above, in this embodiment, digital camera 900 includesprism 300 for separating a luminous flux from a subject condensed bylens system 100 into a plurality of luminous fluxes, imaging sensorR401, imaging sensor G402 and imaging sensor B403 disposed correspondingto the separated plurality of luminous fluxes, respectively, imagegenerator 501 for generating image data based on the output imagesignals generated by the plurality of imaging sensors, and focuscontroller 502 for executing the focusing operation of lens system 100based on the focus detection image signals generated by the plurality ofimaging sensors. Each of the plurality of imaging sensors has aplurality of imaging pixels disposed on an imaging surface, forcapturing a subject image from a luminous flux to generate an outputimage signal and a plurality of phase difference pixels disposed on theimaging surface in a specific pattern, for generating the focusdetection image signal including information about the focus state oflens system 100 with respect to the subject. The arrangement of imagingsensor G402, which is one of the plurality of imaging sensors, withrespect to a subject image is different from the arrangement of imagingsensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403), which is another one of theplurality of imaging sensors, with respect to the subject image.Further, as to the specific pattern, the position of the phasedifference pixel of imaging sensor G402 with respect to the subjectimage does not overlap with the position of the phase difference pixelof imaging sensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403) with respect to thesubject image.

As a result, while overlapping of the position of the phase differencepixel among the plurality of imaging sensors is reduced, imaging sensorR401 (or imaging sensor B403) and imaging sensor G402 can be composed ofthe same parts. For this reason, a multi-CCD digital camera havingimaging sensors with phase difference pixels can be manufactured moreefficiently.

Further, in digital camera 900, the relative position of imaging sensorG402 with respect to the subject image rotates by a predetermined anglewith respect to the relative arrangement of imaging sensor R401 (orimaging sensor B403) with respect to the subject image.

As a result, a multi-CCD digital camera having an imaging sensor withphase difference pixels can be manufactured more efficiently.

Further, in digital camera 900, image generator 501 reads the outputimage signal generated by imaging sensor G402 in order different fromorder in which the output image signal generated by imaging sensor R401(or imaging sensor B403) is read.

Further, in digital camera 900, image generator 501 reads the outputimage signals generated by imaging sensor G402 in order different fromorder where the output image signal generated by imaging sensor R401 (orimaging sensor B403) is read so that a direction of an image representedby the output image signal read from imaging sensor G402 is the same asa direction of an image represented by the output image signal read byimaging sensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403).

As a result, the directions of the subjects included in the imagesrepresented by the output image signals read from the respective imagingsensors are uniform. For this reason, a process for rotating images sothat the directions of the images are uniform does not have to beexecuted later, and thus the process efficiency is improved.

OTHER EMBODIMENT

The first embodiment is described above as the example of the techniquedisclosed in this application. However, the technique of the presentdisclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied also toembodiments where modification, replacement, addition and omission aresuitably made. Further, the components described in the first embodimentare combined so that new embodiment can be formed.

In the first embodiment, imaging sensor G402 is disposed so as to rotatewith respect to imaging sensor R401 and imaging sensor B403. As thearrangements of the imaging sensors, the relative position of a certainimaging sensor with respect to a subject image may be different fromarrangements of the other imaging sensors so that the positions of phasedifference pixels do not overlap with each other. Therefore, imagingsensor R401 may be disposed so as to rotate with respect to imagingsensor G402 and imaging sensor B403. Further, imaging sensor B403 may bedisposed so as to rotate with respect to imaging sensor R401 and imagingsensor G402.

In the first embodiment, imaging sensor G402 is disposed so as to rotateby 180° with respect to imaging sensor R401 and imaging sensor B403.

As the arrangements of the imaging sensors, the relative position of acertain imaging sensor with respect to a subject image may be differentfrom arrangements of the other imaging sensors so that the positions ofphase difference pixels do not overlap with each other. Therefore, acertain imaging sensor may be disposed so as to rotate by 90° withrespect to the other imaging sensors.

In the first embodiment, imaging sensor G402 is disposed so as to rotatewith respect to imaging sensor R401 and imaging sensor B403. As thearrangements of the imaging sensors, the relative position of a certainimaging sensor with respect to a subject image may be different fromarrangements of the other imaging sensors so that the positions of phasedifference pixels do not overlap with each other. Therefore, therelative arrangement of imaging sensor G402 with respect to the subjectimage is moved in parallel with respect to the relative arrangement ofimaging sensor R401 (or imaging sensor B403) with respect to the subjectimage by a predetermined amount. The positions of phase differencepixels may shift from each other.

In the first embodiment, the imaging sensors has the configuration of3CCDs including imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402 and imagingsensor B403. As the configuration of the imaging sensors, the pluralityof imaging sensors may be provided. Therefore, the configuration of twoCCDs, such as an imaging sensor G for capturing green light and animaging sensor R/B for capturing red light and blue light may beemployed. In this case, the imaging sensor R/B may be disposed so as torotate with respect to the imaging sensor G.

In the first embodiment, imaging sensor R401, imaging sensor G402, andimaging sensor B403 have the same physical configuration. At least twoof the plurality of imaging sensors may have the same physicalconfiguration, and the relative arrangements of the imaging sensors withrespect to a subject image may be different from each other. Therefore,any two imaging sensors in the 3CCD configuration may have the samephysical configuration and their arrangements may be different from eachother. The residual one may have a physical configuration different fromthe two imaging sensors.

In the first embodiment, lens system 100 of digital camera 900 is fixedto digital camera 900. The lens system may be detachable from digitalcamera 900. That is to say, digital camera 900 may be configured by aninterchangeable lens having the lens system, and a camera body havingimaging sensors.

The first embodiment describes the operation for generating moving imagedata to be performed by digital camera 900 as an example. The presentdisclosure can be applied to imaging apparatuses that can photograph animage. An image may be a moving image or a still image.

In the first embodiment, image generator 501 makes the reading controlover imaging sensor G402 different from the reading control over imagingsensor R401 the imaging sensor B403. Image generator 501 may make thereading control over imaging sensor G402 being the same as the readingcontrol over imaging sensor R401 and imaging sensor B403. In this case,image generator 501 may execute the rotating process on the output imagesignal so that an image represented by the output image signal read fromimaging sensor G402 rotates by 180°.

In the configuration of digital camera 900 according to the firstembodiment, a color filter corresponding to each luminous flux may beprovided between prism 300 and the respective imaging sensors. Forexample, a color filter for transmitting the red light may be providedon the imaging surface of imaging sensor R401. The same holds true forthe other imaging sensors. As a result, wavelength characteristic ofeach luminous flux obtained by spectral characteristics of prism 300 canbe further adjusted by the color filter.

The embodiment is described above as the example of the technique of thepresent disclosure. For this reason, the accompanying drawings and thedetailed description are provided.

Therefore, the components described in the accompanying drawings and thedetailed description include not only components essential for solving aproblem but also components that are not essential for solving a problemin order to illustrate the above technique. For this reason, even ifthese unessential components are described in the accompanying drawingsand the detailed description, these unessential components should not beimmediately approved as being essential.

Further, since the above embodiment illustrates the technique of thepresent disclosure, various modifications, replacements, additions andomissions can be made within the scope of claims and the equivalentthereof.

The present disclosure can be applied to a multi-CCD imaging apparatushaving an imaging device with a focus detecting pixel. Concretely, thepresent disclosure can be applied to digital still cameras and camcoders.

What is claimed is:
 1. An imaging apparatus comprising: a spectroscopicpart for separating a first luminous flux from a subject condensed by anoptical system into a plurality of second luminous fluxes; a pluralityof imaging sensors disposed corresponding to the plurality of secondluminous fluxes; a generator for generating image data based on each ofimage signals generated by the plurality of imaging sensors; and a focuscontroller for executing a focusing operation of the optical systembased on focus information generated by the plurality of imagingsensors, wherein each of the plurality of imaging sensors has aplurality of imaging pixels disposed on an imaging surface for capturinga subject image from the second luminous fluxes to generate imagesignals, and a plurality of focus detecting pixels disposed on theimaging surface in a specific pattern, for generating focus informationabout a focus state of the optical system with respect to the subject,wherein an arrangement of a first imaging sensor, which is one of theplurality of imaging sensors, with respect to the subject image isdifferent from an arrangement of a second imaging sensor, which isanother one of the plurality of imaging sensors, with respect to thesubject image, in the specific pattern, a position of the focusdetecting pixel of the first imaging sensor with respect to the subjectimage does not overlap with a position of the focus detecting pixel ofthe second imaging sensor with respect to the subject image.
 2. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a relative arrangementof the first imaging sensor to the subject image is rotated by apredetermined angle with respect to a relative arrangement of the secondimaging sensor to the subject image.
 3. The imaging apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the generator reads the image signal generated bythe first imaging sensor in order different from order where the imagesignal generated by the second imaging sensor is read.
 4. The imagingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the generator reads the imagesignal generated by the first imaging sensor in order different fromorder where the image signal generated by the second imaging sensor isread so that a direction of an image represented by the image signalread from the first imaging sensor is the same as a direction of animage represented by the image signal read from the second imagingsensor.
 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein arelative arrangement of the first imaging sensor to the subject image ismoved in parallel by a predetermined amount with respect to a relativearrangement of the second imaging sensor to the subject image.